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The spectacular international bestseller that introduced Washington-based homicide detective Alex Cross and launched James Patterson's career as one of the fastest-selling thriller writers in the world -- now reissued in striking new cover style. He had always wanted to be famous. When he kidnapped two well-known rich kids, it was headline news. Then one of them was found -- dead -- and the whole nation was in uproar. For such a high-profile case, they needed the top people -- Alex Cross, a black detective with a PhD in psychology, and Jezzie Flanagan, an ambitious young Secret Service agent -- yet even they were no match for the killer. He had the unnerving ability to switch from blood-crazed madness to clear-eyed sanity in an instant. But was he the helpless victim of a multiple-personality disorder -- or a brilliant, cold-blooded manipulator?

About the Author

James Patterson combines his position as a bestselling novelist with a full-time career as the chairman of the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency in New York. His phenomenal international No 1 bestseller "Along Came a Spider' introduced his detective hero Alex Cross, who reappeared in 'Kiss the Girls', 'Jack and Jill' and 'Cat and Mouse'. He is also the author of the bestselling thrillers 'Hide and Seek' and 'Black Market'.

'Brilliantly terrifying... so exciting that I had to stay up all night to finish it... packed with white-knuckle twists.' Daily Mail 'An incredibly suspenseful read with a one-of-a-kind villain who is as terrifying as he is intriguing. One of the best thrillers of the year.' CLIVE CUSSLER 'Terror and suspense that grab the reader and won't let go. Just try running away from this one.' ED MCBAIN

JAMES PATTERSON is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. He is the author of two other popular series for young adults: Daniel X and Witch & Wizard. This is as well as writing three of the top detective series around – the Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club and Detective Michael Bennett novels – and many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand-alone thrillers.

He lives in Florida with his wife and son.James is passionate about encouraging both adults and children alike to read.

James Patterson was the subject of a Time magazine feature called, "The Man Who Can't Miss." In 2007, one of every fifteen hardcover fiction books sold was a Patterson title. In the past three years, James has sold more books than any other author (according to Bookscan), and in total, James's books have sold an estimated 170 million copies worldwide. He is the first author to have #1 new titles simultaneously on The New York Times adult and children's lists and is the only author to have five new hardcover novels debut at #1 on the list in one year—a record-breaking feat he’s accomplished every year since 2005.

To date, James Patterson has had nineteen consecutive #1 New York Times bestselling novels, and holds the New York Times record for most Hardcover Fiction bestselling titles by a single author (46 total), which is also a Guinness World Record.

In September 2009, it has been reported that James Patterson signed a book deal to write or co-write 11 books for adults and six for young adults by the end of 2012. Forbes reported the deal was worth at least $150 million!